Not only does Garza have solid AL East experience, but he’s the only one of the four pitchers that isn’t a free agent this offseason. Considering the new CBA blocks teams from being able to receive compensation picks for players they trade for at the deadline this is a big deal.

Still, the Yankees have a solid rotation that will be six-players deep once Andy Pettitte returns. So unless the right deal falls into their lap, which is extremely unlikely, it doesn’t sound like they will make a big play for a starting pitcher over the next two weeks. At this point even Garza seems like a long shot.

2 Responses to Trade Rumors: Yankees like Garza but likely to pass on others

I'm not a big Garza fan – I watched him play here in Tampa and he's prone to having AJ Burnett-like implosions, but I am also wary of relyng on Pettitte's imminent return. Garza's implosions may well have been the result of pitching for a team that routinely batted around .250 though and I think the Yankees need a pitcher. He's the best, or one of the best out there, I hope they go for it.

With Hamels out of their price range, I think Garza would be the best option out of the three (Garza, Greinke, Dempster). It's been seen year after year that NL pitchers that come to the AL get lit up. As far as Greinke, the Yankees don't need his personality screwing up their chemistry on and off the field. I think Garza did a good enough job establishing himself in the AL East with the Rays. He would be a good pick up to add depth to their starting rotation.